A Home in the Golden Gate

Song for Tenor and Piano

Music: Conrad Cummings

Lyrics: from the novel in verse by Vikram Seth adapted by the composer

 
 
“Last night I saw a Buster Keaton.

(I think he’s great. He never smiles.)

Then home, to catch up on my files.

A can of chili. When I’ve eaten,

The late night news, and so to bed.”

John looks forlorn as this is said.
 
 
Liz, sweet Liz, a little lonely,

Sequestered in her city flat with only

The trusty Charlemagne, her cat,

A fearsome tabby, as companion,

As she swims the rapid canyon

Of her career. . .
 
 
John sighs, looks up. An ad describes

The Roach Motel’s compelling merit:

“Roaches check in – but they don’t check out!”

John thinks, “That’s what my life’s about.”
 
 
Daybreak. John wakes to sunlight streaming

Across an unfamiliar bed.

“A cream duvet? I must be dreaming –

With lilac hexagons – instead

Of my plain blanket – and the ceiling:

An open glass skylight revealing

Clear sky – and what’s this at my feet?

A cat! My God!” – With swift heartbeat

He starts as, through the door he’s facing,

Liz enters with a coffee tray

In negligible negligee.
 
 
How wonderful it is, returning

To the retreat of a friend’s smile

And a shared meal; to know, if only

For this one night, one won’t be lonely.